I’ve been wrestling recently about discipleship. I think this is the most important aspect of a church and one I’m sorry to say I’ve missed in my previous churches. I think a lot about what a disciple should look like in Austin in 2008. 2010. 2025? I believe discipleship starts by confessing Christ and Bible study plays a large role in their growth, but what role should Graceland play? Jesus said “go and makes disciples,” what does that mean in my context?
So I was reading this week and something a theologian said has me thinking and I don’t know my answer. I wonder if others could chime in and give their thoughts? In his book, Unleashing the Scripture: Freeing the Bible from Captivity to America, Stanley Hauerwas writes:
Most North American Christians assume that they have a right, if not an obligation, to read the Bible. I challenge that assumption. No task is more important than for the Church to take the Bible out of the hands of individual Christians in North America. North American Christians are trained to believe that they are capable of reading the Bible without spiritual and moral transformation. They read the Bible not as Christians, not as a people set apart, but as democratic citizens who think their “common sense” is sufficient to “understanding” the Scripture. They feel no need to stand under a truthful community to be told how to read. Instead they assume that they have all the “religious experience” necessary to know what the Bible is about.
Before all the comments come posting let me say I don’t know what to think. On one side I disagree, I value the Bible open and translated for my study. I credit my spiritual growth to reading scripture. I like the fact someone can challenge the truth I extract and offer their “opinion” on text. The other side I agree – the Bible isn’t open to democratic voting and “common sense.” Their most be a truth-bearing community to help our spiritual growth and moral transformation. Community is Accountability.
Discipleship:
What role should the Bible play in discipleship today (remember New Testament believers didn’t have a personal copy of the Torah…it was taught to them as boys)?
Who should help the new believer wrestle with scriptures that bring confusion (i.e. pluck out your eye, cut off your hand, etc)?
How much understanding should be left to “common sense” and “religious experience”?
Each person has their own story and experiences. I can’t expect them to look, read, walk, act like me. How do I disciple people to find themselves in Christ so they are Jesus in John Does skin?
You probably recognize the title of this post – or if you replace “pump” with “milk shake” you should. It’s from the movie “There Will Be Blood,” which is an American tale against the backdrop of the southern California oil boom of the late-19th century, it tells a story of greed and envy of biblical proportions.
This morning I thought about this movie as I pumped my gas at the local Shell station. I noticed as I pumped it was going slow or at least monetarily slow. I noticed that my tank was filling up normal but the price was remaining low. I looked closer and I was getting gas at .36 cent/gallon. I asked others around me and they too were getting the same price – now aware they smiled with greed. I guess the gas attendant forgot to put the extra three in the beginning (3.359 instead of .359). So I filled my Xterra full (17 gallons) for $6.20.
Here is the question I thought before I got in my truck, “Should I go tell them about their mistake?” About two years ago when gas prices were sitting at $2.50/gallon I got gas for $1.50/gallon at a Citgo. I went and told the attendant and he was shocked, wondered who else got gas that cheap, and questioned if he should charge me the difference (I didn’t let him).
What was the right thing to do this morning? I don’t know but by the time my neighbor got there the price was corrected.
Inside each man is the need for toys. I know I shouldn’t force such a general label on a specific people group, and one so broad, but every guy I know loves big TVs, flashy music players, and what has become my death (this week) a trendy mobile phone.
Yes, last week my wife (with the help of a dying old phone) helped me understand the need for a new phone. We have ATT Wireless and were out of contract. I liked the idea of walking away at anytime, but like the thought of a new toy more. Of course Summer didn’t think twice and chose the Blackberry Curve (nice phone). I wrestled thru the afternoon to decide on the Pantech Duo. It looked very cool on the website and I didn’t know anyone with this phone (a plus, right guys?). I hated the Pantech Duo! I couldn’t hear anyone. They could hear me fine, but I asked people to repeat themselves and that doesn’t fly with my wife (I think I naturally have a hearing problem – selective).
So the Pantech Duo was returned and in its place I got the luxury AT&T Tilt, the most feature-packed smart device / PDA available in the United States. Very nice phone and too much under the hood – I will never use everything this phone can do. It’s touch screen and requires a “stick” to do must actions. So I’m thinking of returning it too. I’m giving it a few days (it’s a toy!).
My last choice will be Blackberry Pearl. I would love to get the 8120 because it has WiFi which is awesome in Austin. But that sucker is $200 and I’m working a budget and the last two have been refurbished. I want something to help organize my life. The next few years will be crazy by starting a church and raising a toddler (another reason for a more durable phone).
Does anyone have any thoughts? Suggestions?
Until Friday my wife was twentysomething. On April 25th she turned thirty and feels now life begins. I’m not sure what she thinks the last twenty-nine years represented? She had a great weekend with a night with the family listening to live music, to a day at the spa, to dinner with friends (suprised). She keeps telling me it was a good birthday.
I married the most amazing woman. I was pretty lucky she waited twenty-five years for me to get the courage to find and marry her. Werid, but my mother taught me to pray for my wife before I find her. When I was in college I typed up a long list of what I wanted in a wife. I use to pray for “my desirable wife” and that God would form me into the husband she needed. I know it sounds strange, but it worked. I married the person I prayed for – she had everything except the brown eyes. But once you see my wives eyes you realize I couldn’t have prayed for that shade of blue – I didn’t know it existed.
Now my daughters first birthday is next month.
Tomorrow morning my family is going on our first vacation together. Until now trips consisted of me and Summer playing together (say Florida). But tomorrow we go on a mini vacation to Dallas. I’m excited and you should be excited.
Chris
Summer and I spent six hours Monday being assessed as church planters. Strange feeling because that is all I’ve been doing for eight years. I think it was a good opportunity for me and Summer to prove ourselves – to each other. We are really going to plant a church.
More testing…nothing official.
